Neural Correlates of Cognitive Load While Playing an Emergency Simulation Game: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Study

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) provides reliable results for determining cognitive load based on averaged cortical blood flow during multiple repetitions of short tasks. At the same time, it remains unclear how to use this technique assessing prolonged single-trial activity. In study, we used a computer-based emergency simulation game inducing different levels load. We propose novel approach measure using specific time slots, determined log-data interpreted in light Barrouillet's time-based resource-sharing model. To validate approach, compared activity dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) regions measured at four slots simulation. found significant associations between neuronal within DLPFC depending chosen slot, whereas no such dependencies were IFG. These illustrate knowledge task structure could be advantageously identification Although requiring further investigation terms reliability generalizability, presented can considered promising evidence that fNIRS might suitable more general assessments activities real-time adaptations simulation-based learning environments.